This is a SUPER short - easy read. As a fan of the Finlay Donovan series - it was fun to get a look into Vero's world and learn more about this hilarious character. It does help to read the other novels as this fills in some of the gaps of this character from the first 3 books. I had a great time reading, and this truly is a read in one sitting story. Love this series and can't wait for more of Finlay and Vero!

I really enjoyed this short story that helps fill in a lot of questions I’ve had throughout this series around Vero. I also liked that it showed how she met Finlay! This was the perfect little read in between books.

This is just a cute little addition to the Finlay universe and even thought it wasn’t amazing, it was just a fun quick read.

This was a fun little novella that helps us get to know Vero a bit more, and what led up to her becoming Finlay's sitter.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ebook!

I wanted to see Veronica be more feisty. But it was cool to see the story of their meeting play out.

Thank you to the author, publisher, & NetGalley for the access of this short story!

I love little intro to the clever Vero Ruiz and how she ends up partnering up with Finlay to become hilarious partners in crime and murder! This shows that Vero is just right for Finlay, with a clever mind that thinks outside the box to solve mysteries (in this case, someone stealing money from a bank) and alludes just a bit more to why she is on the run with a warrant out for her arrest in Maryland. I really enjoyed this and think it is a nice addition to the Finlay Donovan series!

I loved getting this look at Vero's past and more insight into her character. Great addition to the series!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank – Vero’s Past Gets a Hilarious Heist!

Elle Cosimano proves once again that a little misfortune can lead to big, brilliant adventures. In Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank, we get an irresistible glimpse into Vero’s past as she escapes a scandalous college mishap and embarks on a fresh start under a new name. But life isn’t ever that simple—especially when a cleaning job at a local bank turns into an unexpected investigation into a thieving scheme! 😄

From overheard secrets to a chance to outsmart the system, Vero’s determined to turn every setback into a win—even if it means bumping into her infuriating childhood crush Javi along the way. Cosimano’s signature wit and fast-paced storytelling make every twist feel as refreshing as it is unpredictable. This short story is a delightful addition for fans craving a closer look at Vero’s origins and the spark that ignited her partnership with Finlay.

While the plot occasionally relies on a few too-perfect coincidences (hey, who doesn’t love a bit of controlled chaos?), the charm and humor more than make up for it. If you’re looking for a fun, bite-sized adventure with plenty of laughs and clever twists, this one’s definitely worth the read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for the ARC!

I absolutely love this series. Finlay Donovan and her trusty sidekick Vero.

I jumped at the chance to read this short story to learn a little more about Vero. This story was just ok. It was funny and I did enjoy learning a little more about Vero and Javi. I loved the epilogue!

Disappointing! I know this was a short story but don't feel like it was even wrote by the same author. Loved the other books this not so much. It's so sad this could have been really good too.

Veronica Ruiz is falsely accused of stealing money from her sorority sisters. And they ostracize her. To escape the drama, she flees to her cousin's house. But it's not safe there either since her former boyfriend is also there. Maybe solving a crime at a bank could help her restart her new life. Vero faces multiple challenges at work, tho. Thankfully, she meets a single mom who could help Vero save herself.
I am liking the Finlay Donovan books and appeciate Vero's fierce protective personality. She's a bit more criminal in this book, which surprises me. But this trait also helps me understand her better. She's not afraid to bend a few rules for the sake of her good and the good of the people she likes.
It's fun to see how Vero and Finlay meet. This book is definitely a helpful addition to the series.

Good background into Vero's character. Really wasn't that helpful - kinda got most of it from the books

This half book is the definition of filler. I picked up Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by Elle Cosimano hoping to learn more about Vero and better tolerate her. Friends, this was not it. I’m not sure it really added anything to the series and definitely didn’t make Vero any more likeable. In fact, all it did was showcase just how much of a chaos magnet she is. Proving she didn’t take the money would’ve been so simple using a forensic accountant and halfway decent investigating. But instead of sticking around to investigate who stole the money, she leaves, takes on a fake identity, lies to her family, then takes a random job where she investigates who is stealing money there instead? Like, girl, be so serious. The positive is that this was a quick read but it honestly didn’t give me any background information needed for any other character in the series. I would absolutely recommend skipping this and simply going on to the next in the Finlay Donovan series.

I was really looking forward to reading the back story on Vero as I have enjoyed the Finlay Donovan series. Unfortunately, the formatting was so bad that I had a very difficult time reading the book. So many words ran together withough spacing that the book was just too hard to read and I wasn't able to finish it. I was very disapointed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book was a nice insight to Vero's life. It wasn't as in depth, but I liked the pace and backstory.

This was a cute little prequel novella focused on Vero. I loved getting to see more about her and her life before Finlay. While short this story is stilled filled with the author's signature witt and humor. It's a nice addition to this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Pretty good! This series has been so back and forth for me but I enjoyed this short story as a glimpse in Vero’s past

This was a short version from Vero's point of view on the backstory before she met Finlay up to the moment she quit her job and Finlay offered her a babysitting position. It gave some more depth into Vero and her history, both with men and her college education. I enjoyed this deeper look into one of the main characters of the Finlay Donovan series, and I'm glad Elle wrote this to give us some background.

I guess it really said all that needed to be said, gave us a view on the person Vero was before entering Finlay's life, and helped me understand the risky type of behavior that Vero shows throughout the Finlay Donovan books.

I loved this glimpse into Vero’s backstory! I still have so many questions, but this was a fun little mystery culminating with Vero and Finlay’s first meeting. Absolute must read for fans of Finlay’s series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this copy!

Okay, as someone who is a certified Vero hater (sorry, I know she’s a fan favorite, she just bugs me) I loved this little novella. The Finlay Donovan series is silly and fun, and this novella made Vero make more sense to me.

I think this would’ve been better if it had immediately come after the first Finlay. Maybe other non-Veros out there could’ve been converted a little sooner?

Getting to know more about Vero and Javier was delicious and the story was quick, fun, and packed with event after event after event.

Thank you to netgalley for the e-arc of Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank in exchange for an honest review.